Container dispensing means and parts therefor or the like



y 0, 1965 .J. B. WILSON 3,195,788

CONTAINER DISPENSING MEANS AND PARTS THEREFOR OR THE LIKE Filed June 27, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR JOHN B. WILSON HIS ATTORNEYS y 20, 1965 J. B. WILSON 3,195,788

CONTAINER DISPENSING MEANS AND PARTS THEREFOR OR THE LIKE Filed June 27, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2:

iNMENTOR JOHN Rwsyson HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,195,788 CGNTAENER DISPENSING MEANS AND PARTS THEREFGP; OR THE LIKE John B. Wilson, Richmond, Va, assiguor to Reynolds Metals (Zompany, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 27, 19132, Ser. 1. o. 205,729 13 Claims. (0. 222399) This invention relates to an improved dispensing ap paratus, as well as parts therefor, for a container carrying a fluid under pressure or the like.

It is well known that various attempts have been provided for forming a container which is adapted to carry a fluid, such as beer or the like, under pressure whereby suitable dispensing means attached to the container is adapted to selectively dispense desired quantities of the fluid from the container.

However, because the fluid in the container is normally carbonized, as in the case of beer or the like, prior known dispensing means have the undesirable disadvantage of causing the beer to foam excessively when the beer is being dispensed from the container because of the high pressure required in the container to fully empty the container.

In the past, the dispensing means for such containers included an elongated siphon tube disposed in the container for conveying the fluid from the inlet side of the tube to the desired faucet structure of the dispensing means.

However, it was found that the normally accepted siphon tube generally created turbulence and/0r laminar flow which caused foaming of the beverage in varying degrees depending on the amount of carbonation, the temperature of the beverage and/or the dispensing pressure.

One means attempted to overcome the above disadvantages comprised a restrictor tube disposed in the container and having the restriction thereof leading into a tapered expansion chamber. This prior known restrictor tube gave excellent results except that the design created many manufacturing problems.

In particular, any small burr or seam in the path of the beverage caused foaming to an excessive degree.

Therefore, a blow molded, tapered siphon tube was tried, but again, seams and burrs prevented assured success.

Other manufacturers attempted to eliminate the foaming problem of utilizing a coil of small diameter, plastic tubing. For example, such a coil tube was approximately 25 inches long and had an inside diameter of 0.138 of an inch when utilized for dispensing beer.

However, to date, no supplier has been able to properly form the plastic tubing so that it will hold its shape.

In addition to the above difficulties of a properly formed siphon tube, many problems arose in the faucet proper of the dispensing means. For example, some of the problems encountered are to provide a uniform passageway, a correct amount of opening of the valve, eliminate burrs, and the like.

Further, the most important problem with prior known faucet structure is the cleaning of the faucet for complete sanitation without the necessity of costly dismantling and re-assembling of the dispensing means of the abovementioned containers when the containers are to be utilized again.

According to the teachings of this invention, however, all of the above problems and disadvantages have been eliminated by the dispensing means of this invention.

In particular, one embodiment of the dispensing means of this invention includes one continuous length of flexible, elastic plastic tubing forming the inlet of the siphon tube, the flow control restriction means, the seal at the outlet of the container, shut-01f means, and the spout of the dispensing means.

The restriction means of the dispensing apparatus of this invention comprises means for deforming the flexible tube of this invention adjacent the inlet side thereof to provide a smooth and gradual restriction therein to properly control the flow rate of the fluid being dispensed from the container or the like to eliminate foaming and the like.

The shut-off means of the dispensing apparatus of this invention includes means for selectively pinching-off a portion of the flexible tube adjacent the spout end thereof to control the dispensing action of the fluid.

Therefore, the dispensing means of this invention is relatively simple to clean for re-use thereof because the single length of flexible tubing or the like can be readily cleaned without undue dismantling and re-assembling of the various parts of the dispensing means of this invention.

Further, the tubing of this invention can be replaced after each use at a very low cost should sanitation become a problem because the flexible tubing is relatively inexpensive and because the assembly of the flexible tube to form the dispensing apparatus of this invention is a relatively simple and non-time-consuming operation.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved dispensing means for a container or the like, the dispensing means having one or more of the novel features of this invention set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved parts for such a dispensing means or the like.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURES 1 is an axial, cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of a container utilizing one embodiment of the dispensing means of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective View illustrating the flow control portion of the dispensing means of this invention illustrated in FlGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the flow control structure of this invention and is taken on line 33 of FIGURE 1.

' FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary front view of the faucet portion of the dispensing means of this invention.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 4 and is taken on line 5-5 thereof, the dispensing means being disposed in its closed position.

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 illustrating the dispensing means in its fully opened position.

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 and illustrates another embodiment of this invention.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter described as being particularly adaptable for use with a container carrying beer or the like, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof with other structure as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, an improved container of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral Ill wherein the particular construction of the container 10 does not form any part of this invention J other than forming an enclosing structure for carrying a fluid 11 placed under pressure in any suitable manner. For example, the fluid '11 can comprise a carbonated beverage, such as beer or the like, placed under pressure by a suitable gaseous propellant fed from a pressure regulating and storage means 12 to the interior of the container It to form a gaseous pocket 13 above the level of the liquid 11 that pushes against the fluid 11 to tend to force the fluid 11 from the container 10 in a manner well known in the art.

The fluid 11 disposed in the container 16 is adapted to be selectively dispensed therefrom to the exterior of the container 16 by the dispensing means of this invention which is generally indicated by the reference numeral 14.

The dispensing means 14 of this invention includes a plug member or wall 15 detachably'secured to the container 16 in any suitable manner.

For example, the plug member 15, as illustrated, has

an externally threaded shank portion 16 threadedly received in an internally threaded annular member 17 secured to and surrounding a bore lfiformed in the front wall 19 f the container 1 9, the plug member 15 having a cap portion 2i compressing a sealing gasket 21 against the annular member 17 to provide a fluid seal therewith.

In this manner, not only can the plugmember 15 be readily detached from the container 19, when desired, but also plug member 15 carries the entire dispensing means 14 of this invention whereby the dispensing means 14 of this invention can be readily detached from and replaced to the container 16 in a simple threading operation.

While the retainer 17 is illustrated as being a separate part, it is tobe understood that the retainer 17 could be formed integral with the front wall 19 of the container 19.

The plug member or detachable wall 15 has an aperture or bore 22 passing centrally therethrough and adapted to receive an elongated, flexible, elastic, plastic tube 23 forming part of the dispensing means 14 of this invention.

The tube 23 can be formed of any suitable material and in any suitable manner. For example, the tube 23 of this invention can comprise Tygon'manufactured by the US. Stoneware Company, Akron, Ohio.

The tube 23 is so assembled relative to the wall or plug member 15 that no auxiliary seals are needed for preventing fluid leakage through the bore 22 of 'the wall15.

In particular, the tube 23 of this invention can be approximately ll inches in length and have an outside diameter of approximately Y of an inch and an inside diameter of A of an inch.

The bore 22 in the plug member 15 has a diameter of of an inch whereby the tube 23 must be press fitted therein.

The tube 23 is assembled to the plug member 15 by pulling one end 24 or 25 of the tube 23 through the aperture 22 thereof whereby the portion 26, FIGURE 5, of the tube 23 which is disposed in the bore 22 of the plug member 15 is'longitudinally stretched and inwardly compressed by the plug member 15 so that the portions 27 and 23 of the tube 23 disposed on opposite sides of the plug member 15 are drawn toward the same to provide fluid seals against the opposed sides 29 and 39 of the plug member 15 as illustrated in FIGURE 5.

Therefore, item be seen that the natural resiliency of the tube 23 provides a hermetic seal with the plug member 15 so that no auxiliary seals are required.

When the wall or the plug member 15 is assembled to the container 1%) in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1, the portion 28 of the tube 23 is disposed inside the container 10 while the portion 27 thereof is disposed outside of the container 10.

. The portion 28 of the flexible tube 23 is utilized as a flow control and anti-foaming means in the following manner. t

In particular, the portion 28 of the tube 23 is adapted to be deformed to provide a smooth restriction therein adjacent the inlet end 25 thereof by a clamping means 31 of this inventiornthe clamping means 31 being disposed inwardly from the inlet'end ZSVthereof approximately one inch or the like.

In particular, reference is made to FIGURES 2 and 3 wherein it can be seen that'the clamping means Cal of this invention comprises a pair of parallel bars Hand 33 disposed on opposite sides of the tube 23 and respectively interconnected together by threaded members 34 disposed outboard of thetube 23 and having enlarged heads 35 disposed against the bar 32 while the nuts 36 carried on the other ends of against the bar 33. a

In this manner, the tighteningof the bolts 34 causes the'bars 32 and 33 to be drawn toward each other to progressively deform the tube 23 therebetween to provide restrictive passage 3'7 in the tube 23 whereby it can be seen that the clamping means 31 provides gradually de:

creasing and smooth oblong passages 38 on opposite sides of the restrictive flow passage 37 to prevent turbulence of the fluid flowing therethrough whereby foaming of the carbonated beverage is prevented or held below an objectionable degree and the flow rate of the fluid is reduced or controlled'to the desired degree.

Therefore, it can be seenthat' by merely adjusting the clamping means 31'of this invention, the size of the restrictive passage 37 can be varied whereby the fluid flow rate through the tube 23 can be selectively varied.

However, while an adjustable clamping'means 31 is illustrated, it is to be understood that the clamping means 31 could be fixed clamping means to deform the tube 23 to the desired position thereof to provide the desired restrictive flow passage 37 for a particular sized tube 23 without making the clamping means 31 adjustable as illustrated in the drawing. a

i For example, such a fixed clamping means can comprise a substantially C-shaped member that can be readily slipped over the portion 28 of the tube 23 to deform the same to the desired degree whereby production quantities of the dispensing means 1d of this invention can be simply and inexpensively made for desired applications thereof.

The container 10 is normally disposed in the position illustrated in FIGURE 1 when it is desired to dispense liquid therefrom.

Therefore, since the clamping means 31 is disposed adjacent the inlet end 25 of the portion 28 of the flexible tube, the clamping means 31, in addition to its flow control featuresset forth above, weights" the end 25 of the tube 23 in such a manner that the end 25 of the tube 2?: is held vagainst the bottom of the container 1th so that substantially the entire supply of fluid 11 in the container 10 can be dispensed by the dispensing means 14 of this invention in a manner hereinafter described, the end 25 of the tube 23 being angularly cut'to permit the fluid 11 to enter the same when the end 25 is weighted to the bottom of the container 10.

Since the flexible tube 23 of this invention can be formed in a seamless manner without any burrs in the .bore passing therethrough, it can be seen that the fluid .arm'39'has a portion thereofsecured to the plug memberlS by a threaded fastening member 3; it being unthe threaded member 34 are disposed derstood that the support arm 39 can be secured to the plug member in any other, suitable manner, as desired.

The support arm is so constructed and arranged, that the portion 27 of the tube 23 extends beneath the support arm and is adapted to engage the support arm 39 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 5.

A pair of cars or lugs 40 extend outwardly from the attached portion of the support arm 39 or may be formed in such a manner that the same are secured to the surface 29 of the plug member 15, as desired.

The cars or lugs 40 carry a pivot pin 41 respectively carrying a pair of bar-like members 42 pivoted to the opposed ends of the pin 41 whereby the bars 42 straddle the portion 27 of the flexible tube 23 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4 and are movable relative to the container 10 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The free ends to the bars 42 are joined together by a plate 43 secured to the bar-like members 42 by threaded fastening members 44, FIGURE 5, the portion 27 of the tube 23 passing between the support arm 39 and the plate 43 of the bars 42 for a purpose hereinafter described.

A rod 45 is carried between the bar-like members 42 intermediate the ends thereof and disposed on a side of the portion 27 of the tube 23 opposed to the support arm 39 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 5.

The bar-like members 42 are adapted to be pivoted away from the plug-like member 15 by a pair of compression springs 46 respectively disposed between the plug-like member 15 and the bar-like members 32 whereby the force of the compression springs 46 tend to move the bar-like members 42 outwardly to cause the rod 45 carried thereby to compress and deform the portion 27 of the flexible tube 23 against the support arm 39 to completely pinch close the tube 23 to prevent fluid from being dispensed out through the spout end 24 of the tube 23. When it is desired to dispense fluid from the container 10, the bar-like members 42 are pivoted toward the pluglike member 15 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 6 whereby the rod 45 moves away from the support rod 39 and permits the natural resiliency of the flexible tube 23 and the pressure of the fluid in the container It to undeform the previously pinched portion thereof whereby fluid can pass through the tube 23 to a desired receptacle, such as a glass or the like.

For example, the dispensing means 14 can be operated in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 6 by merely inserting a rim 47 of a glass 48 or the like between the spout end 24 of the tube 23 and the bar-like members $12, and, thereafter, pushing inwardly with the glass 48 to pivot the bar-like members 42 toward the plug-like member 15 in opposition to the force of the compression springs 46 to unpinch the tube 23 and cause the fluid II in the container 10 to be dispensed directly into the glass 48.

While FIGURE 6 illustrates the tube 23 in its fully unpinched condition, it is to be understood that the rate of flow of fluid 11 into the glass 48 can be controlled by the positioning of the rod-like member 45 in any position thereof between the fully closed position illustrated in FIGURE 5 and the fully opened position illustrated in FIGURE 6, as desired.

When the glass 48 has been filled to the desired extent, the glass 48 is moved outwardly relative to the container 10 whereby the force of the compression springs 46 move the bar-like members 42 back to the position illustrated in FIGURE 5 to cause the rod 45 to again completely pinch close the tube 23 to prevent fluid from being dispensed therefrom.

Therefore, it can be seen that a novel means have been provided for permitting fluid to be selectively dispensed from a container or the like, when desired, the dispensing means 14 of this invention being formed in a relatively simple and inexpensive manner without requiring com plicated valve means and the like.

While the embodiment of the dispensing means 14 illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6 permits the fluid 11 in the container Ill to be dispensed when the bar-like members d2 are moved toward the plug member 15, it is to be understood that the dispensing means 14 can be so constructed and arranged that the same is only adapted to dispense fluid when the bar-like members 42 are moved away from the plug member 15 as desired.

For example, such an embodiment is illustrated in FIGURE 7 wherein parts thereof similar to the dispensing means 14 are indicated by like reference numerals followed by the reference letter a.

As illustrated in FIGURE 7, the dispensing means 14a of this invention has the support arm 39a secured to the plug member 15a below the bore 22a thereof by the threaded fastening member 39a.

The lugs or ears tla are secured above the bore 22a by threaded fastening members 49 and pivotally carry the bar-like members 42:: on the pivot pin 41a.

The bar-like members 42a are normally drawn toward the wall 15.1 by tension springs 52 respectively interconnected to the plug 15a and the bars 42a whereby the rod 45a carried by the bar-lilre members 42a pinches closed the portion 27a of the tube 23a against the support arm 3% in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 7.

To dispense fluid through the dispensing means 14a, the bar-like members 42a are merely pivoted outwardly relatively to the plug member 15a to cause the rod-like member 45a to move away from the support arm 39a and permit the natural resiliency of the tube 23:; to undeform the pinched portion thereof in the manner previously described.

For example, the rim 4% of the glass 48a can be disposed behind the bar-like members d2a and moved outwardly to pivot the bar-like members 42a away from the plug-like member 15a to cause the fluid in the container to be dispensed directly into the glass 48a.

When the glass that has been filled to the desired extent, the glass 43a is moved backwardly toward the container 10a to permit the springs St to pivot the barlike members 42a back toward the plug member 15a to pinch close the portion 27a of the tube 23 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 7 to terminate the flow of fluid through the tube 23a.

Therefore, it can be seen that another embodiment of the dispensing means of this invention is fully disclosed in FIGURE 7 whereby the operation of the dispensing means 14a is opposite to the operation of the dispensing means 14 previously described.

While the embodiments illustrated in the drawings utilize the glass to operate the dispensing means, it is to be understood that suitable hand levers can be utilized to operate the dispensing operation instead of the glass.

In addition, while the embodiment illustrated in FIG- URE 7 utilizes tension springs 5% to terminate the dispensing operation, it is to be understood that such springs 51 could be eliminated and the structure 42a, 43a could be suitably weighted to provide sufficient force for pinching closed the tube portion 27a when the dispensing operation is to be terminated.

Accordingly, it can be seen that the various dispensing means of this invention provide structures which are relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture to provide for a desired flow of fluid therethrough as well as means for selectively dispensing fluid from containers or the like whereby the dispensing means prevents excess foaming of the fluid and can be readily cleaned when desired or replaced at a considerable savings over prior known structures.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by the statutes, other forms 7 may be used, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is: i

1. In combination, a container for carrying a fluid under pressure and having a wall provided with an aperture passing therethrough, and a dispensing means for selectively dispensing said fluid from said container, said dispensing means including a flexible tube having a first portion disposed in said container, a second portion disposed outside said container and a third portion disposed in said aperture, said third portion being stretched and inwardly compressed in said aperture whereby the natural resiliency of said tube causes said first and second portions thereof to tend to move toward said Wall to provide a fluid seal at said aperture, said first portion of said tube being deformed by means to provide a restriction in said dispensing means, said dispensing means including means for selectively pinching closed said second portion of said tube to prevent dispensing of said fluid and for unpinching said second portion of said tube to permit dispensing of said fluid.

2. In combination, a container for carrying a fluid under pressure, and a dispensing means for selectively dispensing said fluid from said container, said dispensing means including a flexible tube having a first portion thereof disposed in said container, and a second portion thereof disposed outside said container, the inlet end of said first portion of said tube being deformed by means to provide a restriction in said dispensing means, said deforming means providing negative buoyancy to said inward end to hold the same adjacent the'bottom of said container, said dispensing means including meansfor selectively pinching closed said second portion of said tube to prevent dispensing of said fluid and for unpinching said second portion of said tube to permit dispensing of said fluid.

3. In combination, a container for carrying a fluid under pressure, and a dispensing means for selectively dispensing said fluid from said container, said dispensing means including a first flexible tubular portion disposed in said container and a second flexible tubular portion disposed outside said container, the inlet end of said first tubular portion being deformed by means to provide a'restriction in said dispensing means, said deforming means providing negative buoyancy to said inlet end to hold the same adjacent the bottom of said container, said dispensing means including means for selectively pinching closed said second tubular portion to prevent dispensing of said fluid and for unpinching said second tubular portion to permit dispensing of said fluid.

4. In combinatioma container for carrying a fluid under pressure and having a wall, dispensing means for selectively dispensing said fluid from said container and being carried by said wall, said dispensing means including a flexible tubular portion disposed outside of said container, a support carried by said wall and engageabie by said flexible tubular portion, a movable member carried by said wall, biasing means disposed between said Wall and said movable member to tend to move said movable member to one position thereof, said movable member when disposed in said one position thereof deforming said flexible tubular portion against said support to pinch closed said tubular portion to prevent dis- 7 pensing of said fluid and when disposed in another position thereof permitting said tubular portion to undeform and dispense said fluid from said container.

5. A combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said biasing means is placed under compression and said movable member is moved toward said wall when moved 7 d from said one position thereof to said other position thereof. 1

e 6. A combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said biasing means is placed under tension and said movable member is moved away from said wall when moved from said one position thereof to said other position thereof. a a i V '7. A combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said Wall is detachably secured to said container. 10

S. In combination, a container for carrying beer under pressure, and a dispensing means for selectively dispensing said beer from said container, said dispensing means including a flexible tube having one end thereof disposed in said beer, said flexible tube having an inlet portion of' said one end thereof deformed by means to provide a restriction in said dispensing means to, minimize foaming .of said beer as said beer is dispensed from said container, said deforming means providing a negative buoyancy to said inlet portion to hold the same adjacent the bottom of said container. 7

9.1m combination, a container for carrying a fluid under pressure, a dispensing means for selectively dispensing said fluid from said container, said dispensing means including a flexible tube having a portion thereof disposed in said container, and clamping means disposed around said portion of said tube at the inlet end thereof to deform opposed sides of said tube toward each other to provide a restriction in said dispensing means and to provide the negative buoyancy to said inlet end to hold the same adjacent the bottom of said container.

iii. A combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said clamping means is adjustable to vary the size of said restriction. I

11. In combination, a container for carrying a fluid under pressure and having a rigid wall provided with an aperture passing therethrough, and a dispensing meansv for selectively dispensing fluid from said container, said dispensing means including a flexible tubular member having an intermediate portion disposed in said aperture, said flexible tubular portion being stretched and inwardly compressed in said aperture to tend to pull the opposed ends of said tubular member towardfsaid wall to provide a fluid seal therewith at said aperture.

12. A combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein said wall is detachably secured to said container.

, 13. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wall is detachably secured to said container and said dispensing means is carried solely by said wall.

References oat-a by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 185,249 12/76 Marshall et al. 222-529 682,269 9/01 Poe 251-l0 1,955,308 7 4/34 Naftel et a1. 137 39O X 2,709,542 7 5/55 Eller Et al 222 529 X 2,718,985 9/55 Tamminga 222529 X 2,723,056 11/55 Smith 222-527 X 2,990,979 7/ 61' Harrison et al; .2519 X 3,039,656 6/62 Wentz 222 -173 3,069,098 12/62 Frangos et al. 239344 3,100,102 8/63 De Haan 251-9 3,100,487 8/63 'Bathish 222-567 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,039,833 5/53 France.

EVERETT w. 'KIRBY, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS J. DEMBO, Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A CONTAINER FOR CARRYING A FLUID UNDER PRESSURE AND HAVING A WALL PROVIDED WITH AN APERTURE PASSING THERETHROUGH, AND A DISPENSING MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY DISPENSING SAID FLUID FROM SAID CONTAINER, SAID DISPENSING MEANS INCLUDING A FLEXIBLE TUBE HAVING A FIRST PORTION DISPOSED IN SAID CONTAINER, A SECOND PORTION DISPOSED OUTSIDE SAID CONTAINER AND A THIRD PORTION DISPOSED IN SAID APERTURE, SAID THIRD PORTION BEING STRETCHED AND INWARDLY COMPRESSED IN SAID APERTURE WHEREBY THE NATURAL RESILIENCE OF SAID TUBE CAUSES SAID FIRST AND SECOND PORTIONS THEREOF TO TEND TO MOVE TOWARD SAID WALL TO PROVIDE A FLUID SEAL AT SAID APERTURE, SAID FIRST PORTION OF SAID TUBE BEING DEFORMED BY MEANS TO PROVIDE A RESTRICTION IN SAID DISPENSING MEANS, SAID DISPENSING MEANS INCLUDING MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY PINCHING CLOSED SAID SECOND PORTION OF SAID TUBE TO PREVENT DISPENSING OF SAID FLUID AND FOR UNPINCHING SAID SECOND PORTION OF SAID TUBE TO PERMIT DISPENSING OF SAID FLUID. 